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First-round picks

Running back Marshawn Lynch hugs a friend in Oakland, Calif., after he was selected by the Buffalo Bills with the 12th pick Saturday. Lynch, from the University of California, was the second running back taken in the draft, behind Oklahoma's Adrian Peterson. (AP / Paul Sakuma)

The mammoth Russell has incredible arm strength and above-average accuracy, especially on long throws. Makes good decisions, both before and after the snap, but occasionally will force balls into coverage. He is not a running quarterback, but he has good speed, and his size makes him a tough QB to bring down.

Thumbs up: The Silver and Black definitely needed a quarterback, and apparently there was only one worth taking with the first pick.

NO. 2 | LIONS

Calvin Johnson

WR Georgia Tech 6-4 237

Simply the most jaw-dropping talent in the draft. His size and strength let him close off defenders in traffic. Ran a 4.35 in the 40-yard dash at the combine. Can defeat press coverage and outrun most defenders. Tough to bring down after the catch, though he is more strong and fast than elusive.

Thumbs up: The best player in the draft goes to the team with the worst luck drafting wide receivers.

NO. 3 | BROWNS

Joe Thomas

OT Wisconsin 6-6 313

A near-prototypical NFL left tackle, Thomas is big, but light on his feet. He is quick enough to slide with fast end rushers, but strong enough to wall them off. Has greatly improved his technique with his hands, although they could be a touch quicker.

Thumbs up: A team with myriad needs didn't prematurely fall for the Brady Quinn hype.

NO. 4 | BUCCANEERS

Gaines Adams

DE Clemson 6-5 260

Quick and dangerous as a pass rusher, he also has shown a knack for batting down passes with his agility and leaping ability. Could be a better tackler.

Thumbs up: Might seem like a slight reach, but when you are next-to-last in the NFL in sacks last year, like the Bucs were, you pull the trigger.

NO. 5 | CARDINALS

Levi Brown

OT Penn State 6-4 328

Has all the physical skills to hold down a job as a left tackle, but his aggressiveness and technique are wanting. He beats himself against speed rushes with his poor footwork, but is excellent in the running game.

Thumbs up: Matt Leinart needs some time to get the ball to Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin.

NO. 6 | REDSKINS

LaRon Landry

S LSU 6-0 205

He's a free safety prospect who could thrive in man coverage, particularly against slot receivers and elite tight ends. Against the run, he's quick and loves contact.

Thumbs up: After throwing away money on Adam Archuleta, the Redskins get perhaps the best defensive player available.

NO. 7 | VIKINGS

Adrian Peterson

RB Oklahoma 6-2 218

Has excellent speed, strength and field vision. He has good acceleration, but is happier to run over defenders rather than juke them. Most of his yards come after contact.

Thumbs up: The Vikings cannot believe their good fortune at finding Peterson available.

NO. 8 | FALCONS

Jamaal Anderson

DE Arkansas 6-6 279

An excellent prospect when he plays with the proper amount of aggression. He reads plays well and can run down ball carriers on running plays. His Achilles' heel is his speed off the snap, which is not that good.

Thumbs down: Anderson is a fine player, but there were many other needs, like wide receiver, to be filled.

NO. 9 | DOLPHINS

Ted Ginn Jr.

WR Ohio State 6-0 180

Explosive and speedy, he is a major threat on long balls as well as after the catch on shorter passes. Compensates for his slight build by being able to dodge a jam and take off. A serious return threat.

Thumbs down: Was this because Trent Green is on the way? Was it the Devin Hester/return sensation effect? Either way, a pretty questionable choice.

NO. 10 | TEXANS

Amobi Okoye

DT Louisville 6-1 300

A rare teenager in the NFL draft, Okoye moved from Nigeria to Alabama at age 12. He has his degree and is the youngest player drafted by an NFL team. Very athletic and quick off the snap.

Thumbs up: Only 19 years old, Okoye should be beating up offensive linemen for years to come.

NO. 11 | 49ERS

Patrick Willis

LB Mississippi 6-1 240

Instinctive defender who often reads plays and schemes like a book. Excellent sideline-to-sideline player, but he also is quick and agile in pass coverage, though his technique needs work.

An elusive, nimble runner who sees the field well, especially cutback lanes. Occasionally will get too high in his runs, but can be devastating with the correct pad level.

Thumbs up: Might have been better served with a defensive back, but Willis McGahee (off to the Ravens) isn't around anymore.

NO. 13 | RAMS

Adam Carriker

DE Nebraska 6-6 292

Kind of an in-between player whose bulk could serve him well as an interior tackle or a power end in a 3-4 system.

Thumbs up: Should be a Grant Wistrom-like terror on the Rams' artificial turf.

NO. 14 | JETS

Darrelle Revis

CB Pittsburgh 6-0 197

Late-riser who moved to the top of the list of cornerbacks by flashing blazing speed in his workouts. Very good size. Talented, quick, hard-hitting corner whose footwork needs work.

Thumbs up: Not an obvious choice, but given Eric Mangini's defensive prowess, the J-E-T-S get the benefit of the doubt.

NO. 15 | STEELERS

Lawrence Timmons

LB Florida State 6-3 232

Great natural talent who reads plays well and executes against the run and pass. Should be able to cover TEs well.

Thumbs up: Team definitely had a need to replace Joey Porter, but if it wasn't the Steelers and their success at the position, this might be considered a stretch.

NO. 16 | PACKERS

Justin Harrell

DT Tennessee 6-4 305

A top-10 talent who lost most of his senior season to a ruptured left biceps tendon. Put off his surgery for a week to get some playing time in the Florida game, which speaks well for his toughness.

Thumbs down: Certainly can help collapse the pocket, but Brett Favre was probably looking for some offensive help.

NO. 17 | BRONCOS

Jarvis Moss

DE Florida 6-6 1/2 250

See draft package at the top-right rail of this article for info on Moss.

NO. 18 | BENGALS

Leon Hall

CB Michigan 5-11 193

A hard-working and instinctive defender who might eventually wind up at free safety. He has a great work ethic and is fluid in coverage. He also set a school record for pass deflections.

Thumbs up: On the character issue alone, this pick was a positive move for the Bengals.

NO. 19 | TITANS

Michael Griffin

S Texas 6-0 195

Lots of athletic ability here, but he is a step behind on field smarts. Struggles in coverage and, occasionally, with wrapping up. Aggressive and willing, especially against the run.

Thumbs down: Perhaps took the best athlete available, but could have addressed other needs.

NO. 20 | GIANTS

Aaron Ross

CB Texas 6-1 192

Reads plays well and can come from almost out of nowhere to make a play on the ball. Great hands, too. He doesn't attack the run with great enthusiasm, which is probably his only weakness, and a correctable one at that.

Thumbs up: Who were the Giants' starting cornerbacks last season? Exactly. That's why they took Ross.

NO. 21 | JAGUARS

Reggie Nelson

S Florida 6-0 193

Violent, aggressive player who loves to hit. Very instinctive on the field, he also has the speed and burst to play center field as a free safety, especially in a cover-2 or cover-3 scheme.

Thumbs down: Some teams had Nelson going in the second round, but the former Gator might help sell some tickets.

NO. 22 | BROWNS

Brady Quinn

QB Notre Dame 6-3 226

Having thrived the past two seasons in a pro-style offense, Quinn's draft stock solidified. He's put up good numbers, except in games when his offensive line left him scrambling for cover. Good arm strength and accuracy.

Thumbs up: Gave up a No. 1 pick, but Browns get a player who could have been the first pick overall.

NO. 23 | CHIEFS

Dwayne Bowe

WR Louisiana State 6-2 217

A tough, long-legged receiver who overcomes his relatively slow acceleration by overpowering his defender. Needs to improve his technique and ability after the catch. Tough player who isn't afraid to go over the middle.

Thumbs down: Receiver is definitely a need, but not the biggest one for the Chiefs.

NO. 24 | PATRIOTS

Brandon

Meriweather

S Miami 5-11 192

Smart, heads-up player who is tough to fool with misdirection and tough for TEs to shake in coverage. Has the grace of a cornerback when playing the deep ball. Was a central figure in the brawl between Miami and Florida International.

Thumbs down: Arguably the most questionable character in the draft, but the Patriots might be the team to handle him.

NO. 25 | PANTHERS

Jon Beason

LB Miami 6-0 236

Motivated, hard-working player whose aggressiveness can get him into trouble. His speed and athleticism serve him well, but he needs to improve his coverage awareness and stop biting on play-fakes.

Thumbs down: Took a Hurricane, but with tight end Greg Olsen still available, it was probably the wrong one.

NO. 26 | COWBOYS

Anthony Spencer

DE Purdue 6-3 266

The Ted Hendricks Award winner as the nation's best defensive end as a senior, he led the nation in tackles behind the line of scrimmage with 26 1/2, including 10 1/2 sacks. A speed rusher who has to prove he can hold up against the run and be an every-down player.

Thumbs down: The Cowboys already have Marcus Spears and DeMarcus Ware to rush the passer, and you give up three picks to division rival Philadelphia?

NO. 27 | SAINTS

Robert Meachem

WR Tennessee 6-3 211

Big and fast playmaker, but needs to get better at going over the middle and blocking. Does well on jump balls. Set a school record with 1,298 yards receiving last year.

Thumbs down: Ignoring the defense, it's clear the Saints plan on winning most games 50-49.

NO. 28 | 49ERS

Joe Staley

OT Cent. Michigan 6-5 302

A former tight end who is seriously explosive and quick off the line. Shows good footwork, though he sometimes stands up tall and loses his base of stability.

Thumbs up: A lukewarm endorsement, but if the Niners were willing to trade back into the first round to get him ...

NO. 29 | RAVENS

Ben Grubbs

OG Auburn 6-3 314

Quick, considering he's more than 300 pounds, a sturdy and well-built guard who can ward off athletic pass rushers. In the running game, he shows good pop at contact and a consistent ability to get to the second level.

Thumbs up: Reportedly one of the best pure offensive linemen available, Grubbs didn't go higher because he can only play guard.

NO. 30 | CHARGERS

Craig Davis

WR LSU 6-1 207

Runs precise routes and has excellent hands. Not as athletically gifted as his teammate, Dwayne Bowe, but drops fewer passes and shows a willingness to block aggressively. Needs to perform better in crowds and fill out some in the upper body.

Thumbs down: The rumor was that after AFC West rivals Oakland and Kansas City took Tigers players, the Chargers didn't want to feel left out.

NO. 31 | BEARS

Greg Olsen

TE Miami 6-4 252

Athletic player who can catch the ball if it's near him. He's fast and explosive enough to force safeties to cover him. His blocking is a liability, both in the running game and especially against the pass rush.

Thumbs up: The Bears needed a tight end but couldn't imagine Olsen would be there at No. 31.

NO. 32 | COLTS

Anthony Gonzalez

WR Ohio State 6-0 195

Speedster with good hands who occasionally looks upfield before securing the ball. Struggles against physical coverage, though. Hard worker.

Thumbs up: It will be interesting to see if Gonzalez, playing with Peyton Manning, has better numbers than Ted Ginn Jr. in Miami next year.

Lockheed says object part of 'sensor technology' testing that ended ThursdayWhat the heck is that thing? It's fair to assume that question was on the minds of many people who traveled along Colo. 128 south of Boulder this week if they happened to catch a glimpse of what appeared to be a large, silver projectile perched alongside the highway and pointed north toward town.